RABBIT-PROOF FENCE

Starring: Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury, Laura Monaghan, David Gulpilil and Kenneth Branagh
Director: Phillip Noyce
Running Time: 93 mins
Certificate: PG

Out to buy on DVD 15th September

In 1930s Australia it was deemed that any "half-caste" children would be taken from their Aboriginal families to a camp to be educated and trained to be servants or labourers. When Molly (Sampi), Gracie (Monaghan) and Daisy (Sansbury) were taken from their mothers to the camp by the order of Mr Neville (Branagh), the Australian Government's Chief Protector of the Aborigines, they decided to escape and return home. A journey of 1500 miles through the Outback faced them with only the rabbit-proof fence, which crosses Western Australia, to guide them home.

Director Phillip Noyce (Patriot Games, Dead Calm and the upcoming The Quiet American) returns to his Australian roots with a story of courage over segregation and oppression.

The true story of the plight of mixed heritage Aboriginal children during the first three quarters of the 20th century is shown through the eyes of three children. Forcibly taken from their homes and forced to speak English, become Christians and forget about their traditional way of life, this story is about the triumph of the human spirit and the right to be free. The British and other European Nations have a lot to answer for in their treatment of native cultures during colonisation and this movie doesn't pull any punches in putting this point across.

Making their motion picture debuts, Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury and Laura Monaghan as Molly, Daisy and Gracie, are absolutely superb. The three of them produce performances that will capture you from the off as they take you on a journey that is both enthralling and heart-rending. There is also good support from Kenneth Branagh as Mr Neville, or how the kids refer to him as Mr Devil. The character could have so easily have been a typical movie bad guy but Branagh's performance makes the man very real, as he strongly believes that what he is doing is for the good of the Aboriginal people.

Beautifully shot, the movie captures both the barrenness and the splendour of the Australian Outback. From rocky deserts to forest streams, the girl's epic journey is there on the screen as you almost feel like you are travelling along with them.

Cutting out any sentimentality and concentrating on facts, this is a story that will grab you from off and pull you in. You will be moved and angry at the same time, questioning the British and Australian treatment of a race of people, in your name, for the good of the Country and the Empire.

Audio commentary from director Philip Noyce featuring the score's composer Peter Gabriel, actor Kenneth Branagh, screenwriter Christine Olsen and author Doris Pilkington, 'Following The Rabbit Proof Fence' documentary, Interactive menu & Scene access